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Old Regime
In the 1770 the people of France were separated in 3 different social classes. The first estate was made up of clergy of Roman Catholic Church, they had many privileges like freedom and education. They didn't even pay taxes. The second estate is made up of rich nobles, they held highest offices in government. They disagreed in Enlightenment ideas. And finally the third estate included . bourgeoisie, urban lower class, and peasant farmers and had no power to influence government -
Economic Problems
In the 1780s France economy was in decline, taxes increased a lot and it made it hard for businesses to run successfully. The cost of living was increasing incredibly. Also, bad weather caused crops to die and a shortage of grain, this caused starvation. France government was in a big debt because of helping the American colonies on war, and because the king inherited considerable debt from previous kings. -
Weak Ruler
In 1786 bankers refused to lend the government anymore money, king Louis faces very serious problems. King Louis was a weak ruler that was indecisive, impatient, inattentive to governor advisers etc. His wife Marie Antoinette caused him more problems. She was unpopular because she was in the royal family of Austria, France enemy. She spend to much money on herself and that caused more debt. -
The Revolution Begins
In 1789 from May to June the Second Estate forced the king to call a meeting of the Estates-General an assembly of representative from the three estates to approve the new tax. In June 17 they voted to establish the National Assembly in order to have an end in absolute monarchy and a a beginning of representative democracy. Then the Third Estate legates were locked out f their meeting room. This event was called Tennis Court Oath. -
Storming the Bastille
On July 14 the Bastille prison was attacked, they killed guards and paraded on the streets with dead on heads on pikes. On October women were so angry about the price of bread, they marched on Versailles demanding that the National Assembly takes action to provide bread and got angry at king and queen and demanded that the king and queen should go back to Paris. After some time they left Versailles. On August 4, the assembly reforms France, the Declaration of Independence was made. -
Divisions Develop
In September the National Assembly completed the new constitution, limited constitutional monarchy. The Legislative Assembly was created, they approved and created laws and the king could still enforce laws. Even after the new government food shortages and government debts were not solved. This caused the Legislative Assembly to separate in 3 groups Radicals, Moderates and Conservatives. -
War and Execution
France declares war on April because other countries wanted Louis absolute power back. On August about 20,000 men and women invaded Tuileries and imprisoned the royal family. In September many massacres occurred. The Legislative Assembly set aside the Constitution. the National Convention took place on September 21 and declared France a republic. Jacobins take control and Marat called death for the ones that supported the king. King Louis was sent to death on January 21. -
War Continues
France won victory agains Austria and Prussians but Great Britain, Holland and Spain joined Prussia and Austria. Jacobins had enemies within France itself. Robespierre was one of Jacobins leaders that build a "republic of virtue". He governed France as a dictator and his period of rule was called Reign of Terror. -
End of Terror
The end of terror ended in July 28 when some members of the National Convention demanded the arrest and execution of Robespierre. French public opinion changed a lot after his death. Everyone was tired of terror and prices of bread, salt, and other necessities of life. -
New Government
Leaders if the National Convention drafted a new plan of government. It placed power over the hands of the upper middle class and called for a two house legislature and a body of 5 men, known as the Directory. They were moderates, some were corrupt but they gave the country order and found the right general to command France's armies, Napoleon Bonaparte.
